Process for the recovery of a phytolipid composition

Abstract

Disclosed is a process for the recovery of a phytolipid composition from a vegetable oil by-product. The phytolipid composition produced comprises squalene, phytosterols, mixed tocopherols and tocotrieneols, and vegetable wax and is useful as an emollient. The phytochemical composition may be applied directly to the skin to provide emolliency. Alternatively, the phytolipid composition may be formulated in various aqueous or anhydrous cosmetic compositions such as creams, lotions, gels, ointments, lip balms, sticks, or pencils for treatment of the skin and lips. The phytolipid composition also may be incorporated into foods, beverages, and nutraceuticals to provide health benefits.

We claim: 
     
       1. A phytolipid composition consisting essentially of about 15 to 40 weight percent squalene, about 10 to 40 weight percent phytosterols, about 1 to 10 weight percent of mixed tocols and about 25 to 60 weight percent vegetable wax and contains less than 0.1 weight percent solvent. 
     
     
       2. A phytolipid composition according to  claim 1  derived from rice bran oil and consisting essentially of about 20 to 35 weight percent squalene, about 15 to 35 weight percent phytosterols, about 4 to 8 weight percent of mixed tocols, about 30 to 55 weight percent vegetable wax and less than 0.1 weight percent solvent. 
     
     
       3. A phytolipid composition according to  claim 2  further characterized by the following properties: an iodine number of about 50 to 70; a saponification number of about 15 to 35 mg KOH per g lipid composition; a melting range of about 30 to 55° C.; an acid number of less than about 2 mg KOH per g lipid composition; and a peroxide value of less than about 10 milliequivalents per kg lipid composition. 
     
     
       4. A lip balm comprising the phytolipid composition defined in  claim 2 . 
     
     
       5. A lip balm comprising the phytolipid composition defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       6. A lip balm comprising 10 to 60 weight percent wax and 40 to 90 weight percent of the phytolipid composition defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       7. A lip balm according to  claim 6  wherein the wax is paraffin, candelilla wax or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
       8. A lip balm comprising 10 to 80 weight percent petrolatum and 20 to 90 weight percent of the phytolipid composition defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A food product comprising the phytolipid composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       10. A food product according to  claim 9 , wherein said food product is a margarine, light spread, mustard or mayonnaise. 
     
     
       11. A food product according to  claim 9  further comprising milk fat. 
     
     
       12. A food product according to  claim 9  further comprising a vegetable oil. 
     
     
       13. A food product according to  claim 9 , wherein said food product is a fat-containing beverage. 
     
     
       14. A food product according to  claim 9 , wherein said food product is an alcohol-containing beverage. 
     
     
       15. A food product according to  claim 9  further comprising water, ethanol and a fat. 
     
     
       16. A dietary supplement or therapeutic preparation for oral consumption comprising an oil and a phytolipid composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       17. A dietary supplement or therapeutic preparation according to  claim 16  comprising an oil having dissolved or dispersed therein from about 1 to 10,000 ppm by weight of the phytolipid composition. 
     
     
       18. A dietary supplement or therapeutic preparation according to  claim 16  in a unit dosage form comprising a capsule containing an oil and the phytolipid composition. 
     
     
       19. A dietary supplement or therapeutic preparation according to  claim 16  in a unit dosage form comprising a capsule containing an oil having dissolved or dispersed therein from about 1 to 10,000 ppm by weight of the phytolipid composition. 
     
     
       20. A dietary supplement or therapeutic preparation according to  claim 16  in a unit dosage form comprising a soft gelatin capsule containing an oil having dissolved or dispersed therein from about 1 to 10,000 ppm by weight of the phytolipid composition.